“Yes, Your Highness. You tie it firmly around your waist and let the ends hang loose like this.”
“Try yours on, too, Maximilian.”
“I-I am afraid my robe…doesn’t…” Losing her grasp on words, Maxi flapped open the front of her robe to show that it did not open in the front.
Agnes shrugged her shoulders in resignation. “That’s too bad, then. But you must wear it with me during the festival!” She laughed warmly, the corners of her eyes crinkling, before she was once again distracted by the marketplace.
Maxi quietly watched for a moment. Then neatly folding the sash and carefully placing it in her pocket, she followed after the princess.
—
They perused the marketfor about an hour and a half longer before returning to the carriage. In that time, the princess purchased five magic stones, drake scales, wyvern skin, and an excessive amount of herbs. Watching how fiercely the princess haggled with the merchants reminded Maxi of Ruth, and she wondered if all mages lost their minds a little upon seeing rare herbs or magical components.
“Now I understand why merchants come to Anatol despite the dangers. Not only are there so many rare ingredients, but these magic stones are cheaper here than any other region.”
“According to our sorcerer, many types of plants grow in the Anatolium Mountains,” Hebaron explained as he loaded the princess’s purchases into the carriage. “And since plenty of monsters reside there, it’s easier for us to acquire their bones, skin, and magic stones.”
The princess, who had been instructing the other knights to transport the items with great care, turned to Hebaron with a quizzical look. “That’s another thing. It does not seem the church is against people trading monster parts so freely at your markets.”
“Neither the Orthodox nor the Reformed Church hold any sway here. Though we have a parish temple, it essentially only functions as a shelter for orphans through the Commander’s donations. Since the land has been neglected for a long time, it was only recently that the church recognized Anatol as a parish.”
The princess gaped indecorously. “Hell!” she exclaimed, flicking her finger. “I am beyond jealous.”
Maxi looked at her quizzically. “Why…would that…make you jealous, Your Highness?”
“As a sorceress, I can only envy the lack of interference from the church. Mages and clerics don’t really get along, you see. In their eyes, we are no different from the apostates who go against the will of God.” The princess plopped down on the carriage seat.
Maxi climbed in and nervously shifted her eyes, puzzled. Now that she thought about it, she remembered how the cleric who had instructed her on the virtues of a lady had expressed his contempt for mages. “But…why? Being able to use magic…is such an amazing feat…. Even the nobles…hold mages in high esteem….”
“Mages only gained recognition with the start of the feudal system,” the princess grumbled. “They quickly became invaluable as the nobles got into land disputes. With every liege on the continent desperately seeking mages to enter their service, even the clergy became somewhat tolerant ofmagic, leading to the formation of the Reformed branch. Now that mages have gained even more influence and power, the church no longer dares renounce them publicly. Still…traditional doctrine views magic as a demonic power that goes against God’s will. It also views monsters as the creation of the god of evil, so trading their parts is considered immoral.”
The princess took out one of the magic stones she had purchased at the market. Gazing down at the red gemstone, she sighed before continuing. “The Orthodox Church still restricts the trafficking of such items. Unfortunately, Drachium is under their influence, so the only monster parts we are allowed to trade are their magic stones. Those caught selling their bones, scales, or skin are put on trial, and there are also restrictions that forbid the creation of magical devices that have not been formally condoned by the church.”
“Is the Reformed Church…more lenient?”
“The Reformed Church allows the trade of monster bones, scales, and skin, but they strictly forbid the trading of their blood and meat.”
Maxi frowned. “W-Why…would people…buy that?”
She knew that the magic stones and bones from dragons and other monsters were used to craft magical devices, while their scales and skin were used for shields and armor. However, she had never heard of people using monster blood or flesh. She had no idea what those parts might be used for.
When Maxi furrowed her brow, the princess gave her an amused look. “They can be used for dark magic or alchemy…I have heard that some even consume it.”
“C-Consume?” Maxi grimaced in disgust, as did Ludis and Sybil, prompting a laugh from the princess.
“But those are only rumors. Being caught would result in immediate banishment, so I doubt there would be anyone mad enough to do such a thing.”
“That is a heavy punishment indeed, but…I cannot fathom why anyone would want to consume such things in the first place,” Sybil remarked as he made a small gagging noise into his sleeve.
“Anyhow, it is no easy feat to create a magical device in Drachium,” Agnes continued. “Not only do mages need a cleric’s permission to possess the items needed, but they must acquire them on the black market at an inflated price. This is why mages in the capital come to the southern regions of the kingdom where the Reformed Church has greater influence.”
“Does that mean…mages would flock…to Anatol as well?”
“I think a lot of them are already here. I saw quite a few doing business with the mercenaries. I would be willing to bet that more mages would come to Anatol if they were to find out how lax the church is here.”
If the princess were right, it would be a boon for Anatol that they desperately needed. Even three or four more mages meant that they would be prepared for the injury toll of another catastrophic monster attack.
But even if more mages do come to Anatol, they would likely leave once winter returned…not unless we could convince them to settle here permanently.
